I was lucky enough to get the chance to ring some Barn Owl chicks with Tony Cross today. Although Tony had not checked the nest this year, he was quite convinced that there would be some there as they had been nesting at this private site successfully for the past 12 years! After a very difficult trek to the nest I was delighted when Tony pulled out 3 chicks. As you can see from the photos, these chicks are almost fully grown now, and had we have left much longer they would probably have flown!!

If anyone knows of any Barn Owl nest sights, or where they are seen hunting regularly, Tony Cross (Welsh Kite Trust) would be very interested to know.

Other birds present on our expedition today included Peregrine, Buzzard, Red Kite, Tawny Owl, Raven, Redstart and 2+ Green Woodpeckers heard.

Whilst searching for Quail this morning, I was pleasantly surprised to stumble across a flock 0f 45-50 Tree Sparrows feeding in a barley field. Other birds present included 1 (very distant) Quail, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Little Grebes, 7 Moorhens, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Whitethroats and several Yellowhammers.

Distant record shots taken by  Kev Joynes.

1 flew over the main road this morning.

Male singing from a crop field this evening, other birds present included Yellowhamer, Stock Dove, a family of Moorhens and very good numbers of House Sparrows.

 

New Radnor

Sparrowhawk, Stock Dove and several Swallows.

 

Llyn Heilyn

3 Mute Swans, 30+ Mallards, 23 (+2 juv) Coots, 7 Tufted Ducks and 2 Little Grebes.

 

Hindwell Pool

2 (+7 juv) Mute Swans, 40+ Mallards, 1 Coot and a very pale Grey Heron.

(via birdguides.com) 25 at Llanerchi Woods this Morning SN911630.

A very distant shot again-spotted by Sue on fence post below farm. Could this be “Chalky” wandering over from Claerwen?

Amazingly this was our second today-see Ceredigion Site.

4 seen flying south along the river Ithon this morning, also juv Green Woodpeckers heard calling near the Ddole Road Ind Est.

1 calling near the second carpark this evening, other birds present included Bullfinch, Redstart, Chifchaff, Spotted Flycatcher, Garden Warbler and Blackcap.

Family present on a small private pool this evening, other birds present included Kestrel, Yellowhammer and  10+Swift.

Adult seen carrying prey over the farm this morning, also 1 Jay visiting tha feeding station and another 4+ around the farm.